Raising awareness, taking action and protecting the beautiful islands of Algeria’s Oranese Coast; that’s the threefold objective of marine ecology organization Barbarous, led by Amine Chakouri, an environmental activist passionate about the sea. Home to over 12,000 plant and animal species, the Mediterranean is an important reservoir of biodiversity. But this rich and diverse environment is threatened by human activities, such as overfishing, the use of destructive fishing techniques, pollution and climate change. Little by little, these activities are damaging the shared resources and riches of the Mediterranean. To carry out his mission, the general secretary of the association Amine Chakouri is supported by a team of members, including several divers, all of whom are aware of the need to protect marine biodiversity in order to ensure its survival and reproduction.

Since its launch, Barbarous has undertaken several actions on the ground, notably seabed cleaning, removal of discarded dishing nets, training of eco-divers and initiatives to raise awareness among users of the sea. It also runs visits to the Centre, the headquarters of the association, during which guides tell the story of the items on display. It also regularly organises actions aimed at the general public and advocacy campaigns aiming to improve awareness about the importance of keeping the ocean clear and the damaging impact of waste on underwater flora and fauna. As well as training, visits and raising awareness, Barbarous also focuses on scientific research in the field of environmental preservation and works to promote marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries as means of conserving biodiversity and resources.